800 students from Years 5-10 bring their Notebook or Tablet PC to the two senior campuses (Sturt St & King Island) of Ballarat and Clarendon College every day. Since introducing the 1:1 student technology program in 1995, Ballarat and Clarendon has never looked back.

The Benefits of the 1:1 Program

Ballarat and Clarendon College Information Technology Manager, Andrew Stewart, said that providing students with constant access to computers made the curriculum more interactive and relevant in today’s high tech environment.

Students become accustomed to independent learning and are better prepared for continuing their education at University.

“Our students have the resources and the technology to be engaged anywhere, anytime,” Mr Stewart said.

“Because each Teacher has their own machine, they don’t waste valuable class time moving to and from the computer lab. It’s simply a matter of opening the Notebook and getting on with it.”

At Ballarat and Clarendon, staff believe that the school should equip students to invent their own future.

The teaching models made possible by the 1:1 program helps teach students to think on their feet; develop the skills to leverage technology and discover working solutions for themselves, as opposed to traditional learning.

Computelec supports the ICT staff in the management of this phenomenal amount of hardware for the Victorian college through high-quality service, training and on-going support.

Partner Support, the Key to Success

Computelec’s management of Notebook distribution, training, servicing and network support is integral to the success of the program.

At the start of the school year, Computelec oversees the distribution of about 200 Tablet PCs to new students.

When they collect their new Tablet PC, students receive basic training that includes advice on looking after the machine, connecting to the school network, basic computer care and ergonomics.

Computelec’s role in Ballarat and Clarendon’s 1:1 program continues throughout the year, with repair and maintenance and ensuring relevant parts are supplied on time.

About 85% of all repairs are completed within the 6 hour school day and 95% within 24 hours.

The College tracks issues and repair numbers and if patterns emerge, students using that particular model are assembled for additional, preventive training. Computelec also ensures that frequently required parts are always on hand.

A Complete Education Technology Partnership

As a result of the close relationship developed over the years, the College chooses to partner with Computelec on a number of other projects at the school.

With the assistance of Computelec, the College is one of the first schools to establish a segmented, dynamic VLAN network to differentiate between student, staff and administrative access.

Teachers from Ballarat and Clarendon also attend Computelec’s Expanding Learning Horizons and SchoolTech conferences as part of their professional development program, returning to the College with new ideas and resources which can then be integrated into their own classrooms. Ballarat and Clarendon staff have also presented at the conference, sharing their innovative ideas and resources with other schools around the country.

Computelec’s in-depth knowledge of the education sector is invaluable to the ICT team at the College when looking at best practice network structures, software solutions and licensing.